US4717481A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for improving the separation of fluids of different densities
Assignee: Honeywell UOP LLC
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Filing: 1986-07-28
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Granted: 1988-01-05
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Expires: 2006-07-28
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus is disclosed for improving the separation of fluids having different densities which apparatus employs a velocity reducing distributor for directing fluids in a vertical direction through a bed of packing to coalesce the fluids and a means to alter the direction of flow of the coalesced fluids to a horizontal direction. The disclosed apparatus is of particular advantage with respect to the gravitational separation of fluids having different densities which comprise an aqueous phase and a hydrocarbonaceous phase.
Inventors
- 👤 Bruce E. Staehle
- 👤 David L. Holbrook
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 14:40
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01D; B01D17/00; B01D17/02; B01D17/0208; B01D17/04; B01D17/045
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
205 words
Apparatus for mounting in a fluid separation zone to improve the gravitational separation of fluids having different densities, said apparatus comprising: (a) fluid entry means connected to an opening into said separation zone; (b) fluid distribution means mounted upon the terminus of said fluid entry means within said separation zone; (c) said fluid distribution means including at least one aperture whereby said fluids are dispersed within said separation zone; (d) an elongated imperforate chamber which is vertically oriented, and encompasses and is in fluid communication with said fluid distribution means; (e) a slotted chamber which is coextensive and in fluid communication with an upper end of said imperforate chamber; (f) said slotted chamber having an imperforate upper end plate and having vertically oriented slots arranged about the sides of said slotted chamber and in direct communication with said fluid separation zone; and (g) packing means disposed in at least a portion of said imperforate chamber, the cross-sectional area of said slots of said slotted chamber being sufficient with respect to the available flowing cross-sectional area of the resulting packed bed of said imperforate chamber, to prevent an increase in the velocity of said fluids to improve the gravitational separation of said fluids having different densities.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
205 words
Apparatus for mounting in a fluid separation zone to improve the gravitational separation of fluids having different densities, said apparatus comprising: (a) fluid entry means connected to an opening into said separation zone; (b) fluid distribution means mounted upon the terminus of said fluid entry means within said separation zone; (c) said fluid distribution means including at least one aperture whereby said fluids are dispersed within said separation zone; (d) an elongated imperforate chamber which is vertically oriented, and encompasses and is in fluid communication with said fluid distribution means; (e) a slotted chamber which is coextensive and in fluid communication with an upper end of said imperforate chamber; (f) said slotted chamber having an imperforate upper end plate and having vertically oriented slots arranged about the sides of said slotted chamber and in direct communication with said fluid separation zone; and (g) packing means disposed in at least a portion of said imperforate chamber, the cross-sectional area of said slots of said slotted chamber being sufficient with respect to the available flowing cross-sectional area of the resulting packed bed of said imperforate chamber, to prevent an increase in the velocity of said fluids to improve the gravitational separation of said fluids having different densities.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said fluid entry means is a cylindrical pipe.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
11 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said imperforate chamber is cylindrical.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
11 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said slotted chamber is cylindrical.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said packing means comprises metal mesh.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said packing means comprises finely divided carbon particles.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said slots possess a parallel, vertical orientation.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein siad slots possess a width from about 0.1 mm to about 50 mm.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the total cross-sectional area of said slots is equal to or greater than the available flowing cross-sectional area of said packed bed.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
204 words
A process for gravitationally separating fluids having different densities wherein said fluids are passed to an apparatus comprising: (a) fluid entry means connected to an opening into said separation zone; (b) fluid distribution means mounted upon the terminus of said fluid entry means within said separation zone; (c) said fluid distribution means including at least one aperture whereby said fluids are dispersed within said separation zone; (d) an elongated imperforate chamber which is vertically oriented, and encompasses and is in fluid communication with said fluid distribution means; (e) a slotted chamber which is coextensive and in fluid communication with an upper end of said imperforate chamber; (f) said slotted chamber having an imperforate upper end plate and having vertically oriented slots arranged about the sides of said slotted chamber and in direct communication with said fluid separation zone; and (g) packing means disposed in at least a portion of said imperforate chamber, the cross sectional area of said slots of said slotted chamber being sufficient, with respect to the availabe flowing cross sectional area of the resulting packed bed of said imperforate chamber, to prevent an increase in the velocity of said fluids to improve the gravitational separation of said fluids having different densities.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
204 words
A process for gravitationally separating fluids having different densities wherein said fluids are passed to an apparatus comprising: (a) fluid entry means connected to an opening into said separation zone; (b) fluid distribution means mounted upon the terminus of said fluid entry means within said separation zone; (c) said fluid distribution means including at least one aperture whereby said fluids are dispersed within said separation zone; (d) an elongated imperforate chamber which is vertically oriented, and encompasses and is in fluid communication with said fluid distribution means; (e) a slotted chamber which is coextensive and in fluid communication with an upper end of said imperforate chamber; (f) said slotted chamber having an imperforate upper end plate and having vertically oriented slots arranged about the sides of said slotted chamber and in direct communication with said fluid separation zone; and (g) packing means disposed in at least a portion of said imperforate chamber, the cross sectional area of said slots of said slotted chamber being sufficient, with respect to the availabe flowing cross sectional area of the resulting packed bed of said imperforate chamber, to prevent an increase in the velocity of said fluids to improve the gravitational separation of said fluids having different densities.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process of claim 10 wherein said fluids having different densities comprise a disulfide oil and an aqueous alkaline solution.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process of claim 10 wherein said packing means comprises finely divided carbon particles.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
114 words
A method for gravitationally separating fluids having different densities which method comprises the steps of: (a) passing an admixture of fluids having different densities into a separation zone; (b) distributing said fluids to provide a generally upflowing vertical stream of fluids having a reduced velocity; (c) contacting said upflowing stream of fluids with a bed of packing wherein separate fluid phases are coalesced; (d) altering the direction of flow of said separate fluid phases to a generally horizontal flow; (e) passing said separate fluid phases through slotted apertures having a combined cross-sectional area sufficient to ensure complete coalescence without increasing the velocity of said separate fluid phases; and (f) recovering said separate fluid phases.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
114 words
A method for gravitationally separating fluids having different densities which method comprises the steps of: (a) passing an admixture of fluids having different densities into a separation zone; (b) distributing said fluids to provide a generally upflowing vertical stream of fluids having a reduced velocity; (c) contacting said upflowing stream of fluids with a bed of packing wherein separate fluid phases are coalesced; (d) altering the direction of flow of said separate fluid phases to a generally horizontal flow; (e) passing said separate fluid phases through slotted apertures having a combined cross-sectional area sufficient to ensure complete coalescence without increasing the velocity of said separate fluid phases; and (f) recovering said separate fluid phases.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process of claim 13 wherein said fluids having different densities comprise a disulfide oil and an aqueous alkaline solution.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process of claim 13 wherein said bed of packing comprises divided carbon particles.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1947709A
Cited
US3651944A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-01-04 | 1991-07-06 | 1992-01-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-01-04 | 1995-07-06 | 1996-01-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-01-04 | 1999-07-06 | 2000-01-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |